A New Type of Canvas

I get to teach art to the greatest kids on the planet, ranging in ages from 2, up through High School.  I LOVE that I get to be me and inspire and encourage the next generation of artists! To end our 3-dimensional unit, for my middle schoolers, I wanted to do something fantastic.  So - we are going to repurpose shoes.
First, I hit Goodwill and found the most fabulous shoes I could find (thinking that middle school girls are going to be all about the high heel, fancy adult shoe)

Next - spray painted with a primer, while putting a pool noodle int he boot to maintain form, and plastic bags in the shoe part - to keep it puffed up.

Let dry, and start adding coats of gesso.

The fun thing is - that even the shiny shoes took the paint and become a fantastic canvas...the boot?  You ask?  yes, you can take the noodle out, when dry - and the form is maintained.  Now - to let them loose to create.

Note to self:  This is so fabulous and fun, I may paint them up, add some scripture - and use as a salt leak.....check out more about spreading the Gospel, intentionally through the Gospel - on
Saltysidewalks.comhttp://www.saltysidewalks.com/#/

Throwaway magnet -to INSPIRATIONAL Fridgey!!

I was getting ready to toss out some sticky magnets that were attached to the front of my paper phonebook, that always appears on my front porch.  I never see who leaves this phonebook, but, I blink and a replacement always appears.
Truth be told, I never use my phonebook, and have always tossed it away.  This year, I determined to use it for background pages and scattered through mixed media pieces. After all, it is free- and it comes to me- delivered to my very doorstep!!
AS the magnets were about to be released from my fingertips, hitting the trash... I thought..."Wait- I could do something with these"...and, I started thinking.
I wound up :
*Cutting a gelli print that I had previously pulled that I wasn't crazy about and cutting it to size.
*I glued down to the front of the magnet
*I made a paper rose out of a page of the phonebook  (Really, this should be double recycling points, don't you think???)
*Spritzed, sprayed, embellished and added scripture - and - VOILA - a cute "Fridgey" to offer inspiration!

Soon to be repurposed magnet!

Added paper rose and embellishments

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!!

Eraser Art!!

Lines drawn onto the eraser

Carving completed

Holy guacamole- I love it!!!!

Fern imprint....l.o.v.e.

You can see my attempts at carving into a large eraser that I purchased at the dollar store.  I free-handed a wood texture onto the eraser, and started to carve into it.  The eraser was a dream to carve, demanding little pressure, and  exacting great precision.  Once I had completed the wood grain, I flipped it over and carved in a fern imprint.  Both were so, so easy to do - and I think gave great results!!!  Ssssh, dont tell anyone - I am going down to the dollar store and grabbing all of those erasers!!

Survivor

A sentiment for all of those that fight disease, and win...maybe for a moment, for a day, or for  a lifetime....May disease never define us.

Survivor

Journaling in my Bible

When I study my Bible, I get pictures in my head...I have recently stumbled across movement to journal within the confines of your Bible.  (Check out the Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/675075232583189/?fref=nf  )This has been a fabulous adventure! I love scribbling in the margins and cementing His words, and promises, in through words and pictures. Opening the bible has never been so exciting ❤  I find that I am connecting with the scriptures so deeply....this one was about the prodigal Son.....it really struck me that, BOTH, sons were looking at relationship through works based faith.  One brother - the prodigal, felt that he wasnt good enough for the Father's blessings- and the other brother felt that he DESERVED the Father's blessings.  Fact is, God just sits on the front porch, waiting for us to come home, so that He can shower us with identity and inheritance. We cant be found deserving, or "too far gone"...hes just waiting on the front porch, sippin' sweet tea, until we come home....:- ) Note: this perception was taken out of the LSV version of the bible: the Lisa Standard Version

A Dollar Store Find

I found this ornament at the dollar store, there were 3 in a pack. Laying  it down on my paper, I   sprayed my homemade ink sprays over it, let dry for just a moment- lift.....ever....so.....carefully, and VOILA!!!!!!!!  ..........what a beautiful little design  it made!

Meat Tray Stencils?

A button, a washed meat tray, and paint....wonderful! Press the button into the Styrofoam, making an indentation...voila, you have an easy, inexpensive stencil with unlimited possibilities!